Fillable backboard for punching bags



June 23, 1953 R. J. MALONE FILLABLE BACKBOARD FOR PUNCHING BAGS 2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1950 E m A M .J- L E A H P. A R

r O H m D n 3 (mornegs June 23, 1953 MALONE FILLABLE BACKBOARD FOR PUNCHING BAGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1950 Ennentor RAPHAEL a9 MALONE (Ittornegs Patented June 23, 1953 UNITED STATES E ith-"EMT OFFICE Raphael J. Malone, Seattle, Wash.

App ica io Fe ry 1950, Ser a N 1.390

5 Claims. 1

This present invention relates to a punching or striking bag backboard so arranged that it will have a relatively large, hollow, saucerlike, chamber which can be filled with water, sand, or any other filling material which will have the effect, of greatly increasing the weight of the backboard thus make it capable of absorbing the shock vibration due to the repeatedly and rhythmically striking of the bag While the same is in use. ihe preferred form of this arrangement appears to be to provide a saucer-like backboard having a water-tight cover for the same so that the device can be filled, as with water, and thus provide the mass required for its eifective operation.

In the past, striking or punching bags have ordinarily been mounted beneath a horizontal board, usually of heavy Wood which, in turn, was supported by some convenient means. from av wall or a ceiling of the room. When in use, a person having acquired reasonable skill in striking a punching bag, produces rhythmical exercises where a large number of blows of someintensity are struck in a uniform manner. In the past this has produced very objectionable vibration and noise. Such an installation, for instances, in the basement of the average home is sufficient to vibrate the entire house, causing dishes to rattle and to otherwise greatly upset the tranquility of the home. In gymnasiums it has been found objectionable, in that special means. have been necessary if the vibration and shock thus created are not to be telegraphed by the building structure throughout the entire building This present invention is believed to provided a satisfac-. tory solution of this preplexing problem, therefore:

The principal object of this invention is to provide a hollow punching bag backboard or plat.- form which can be filled with water, sand, or other heavy filling material so that a large mass is provided, which wil1 adequately absorb the shock and vibration incidental to. being used as a backboard for a punching bag.

it further object of this. invention is to provide a hollow covered punching bag backboard which can have a relatively thin saucerlike shell of metal or other suitable material, which will be light for shipping and handling 'generally, and which can then be filled when installed in its position of use, so as to greatly increase the weight and stability of the device.

A further object of this invention is to provide a backboard for striking bags which can be provided with considerable mass, and which can be easily adjusted from an overhead support of some convenient means, so that the height of the striking platform can be quickly adjusted to persons of different stature.

Further objects, advantages and capabilities will be apparent from the description and disclosure in the drawings, or may be comprehended or arev inherent in the device.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a punching bag backboard, made, after the teachings of this present invention, and showing the preferred manner of mounting the same;

Figure 2 is a typical sectional view taken radie ally through the backboard;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper rim of the backboard such as would be obtained by enlarging the left hand upper portion of Figure 2;

Figure i is a perspective View showing one of the elements forming the preferred method of supporting this striking bag platform;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but showing the flexible. supporting cable engaging means in its locked or secured position.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings, the numberal l0 designates generally the main element of the backboard. This consists of a shell made in a. saucer-like form and of sufficient diameter so that it will provide; an adequate backboard for the striking bag when used from any angle, the proportions being generally that. illustrated in E -igurev 1 of the drawings. At present a preferred material for this saucerlike shell is metal, which is either spun or pressed into the form desired. It will be apparent, however, that such a shell might be made of varied materials. A very satisfactory arrangement is to use the new fiber-glass in conjunction with plastics, or to use plastic itself, or to form the shell from plies of veneer which are then bonded together, preferably with water-proof glues so as to provide the shape desired.

The exact bottom shape of the. backboard is a;

matter of individual preference. Most experts,

with striking bags, have quite fixed ideas of the form that this backboard should take. However, it is believedit will be apparent that, because of the methods of manufacture any desired form can be given to the, surface that the striking bag may contact when it is in use.

In order to, stiffen the bowl-likeform of housing It, it is desirable to have. a reinforcing band, as 12, secured around the upper marginv of the 3 same as by riveting, welding or the like. In the form shown in Figures 2 and 3, it will be noted that an overhanging shelf, in effect, is provided at [4, so that, when the inside of the housing is filled, as with water W, any tendency of the liquid to follow up the inside of the saucer-like form, will be deflected downwardly by this shelf. It also provides a convenient means for forming a liquid-tight joint with the cover member I6, which can be secured to the upper margin of the housing by a variety of means, although a. very convenient arrangement is to provide no actual securing means, but to place weights on top of cover I6. This preferably can be in the form of sandbags or items of that order, although for many uses just the weight of the metal top [6 is sufl'icient. In order to provide a centering arrangement for cover [6 and to further provide a degree of labyrinth seal, an annular lip I8 is provided with a vertical portion 20 which can be formed either as a taper or otherwise to provide a snug fit with the reinforcing member I2. It will be apparent that, if it becomes desirable to provide a gasket, the same could be disposed above shelf 12 and below lip [8.

The striking bag D is secured to housing It by having the female portion 22 of the usual ball joint supporting hook 24 secured concentrically with the housing [0.

Inasmuch as the desirable weight for such a backboard is to be provided by filling the interior with water, sand, soil, or the like, it is desirable that the supporting means for the backboard be adequate in strength to provide a secure support, taking into account the vibration and shock incidental to the use of the bag. It is also necessary that convenient means be provided so that the backboard can be kept level at all times, and this adjustment, of course, will have to be made each time the elevation of the backboard is changed, as for persons of different statures. One very satisfactory and convenient means for supporting the backboard is shown in Figures 1, e, and 6. Probably the most satisfactory is to use three points of support. In this way it is assured that the same weight will be imposed upon each of the supporting members and thus no one unit will ever be stressed beyond its designed limit.

Throughout the drawings have been shown platform supporting units employing preferably steel cables 38, although it is believed to be apparent that rope or chain or other tractable tension members might be used. In the form illustrated, cable 30 is secured, as at 32, to the outside of housing 90. The cable then passes up and through a pulley 34, which in turn is suitably supported from some overhead support member. In the cases where the ceiling height will permit pulleys 34 may be secured to the ceiling joists, or a separate platform may be employed supported by, say four posts, or brackets may be built out from a convenient wall. After passing over the sheave of pulley 34, the end of the tension member is dropped down to some suitable securing means. One such means is shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, and consists of a fixed cam member 36 and a second cam member 38, which is pivotally supported at 40. Both of these cam members are provided with suitable teeth as 42 and 44, or they may be suitably grooved to accept chain or rope. The proportions of cam member 38, as illustrated, are quite satisfactory for convenient operation. The end of cable 30 is positioned between the two cam members by the keeper member 45. In operation, to loosen the engagement from the engaged position shown in Figure 6, the user pulls downwardly on the free end 48 of cable 30. This action revolves cam 38 so that it loses its engagement with cable 38 and assumes the position of Figure 5, in which position quick adjustment of cable 39 can be made. When the desired height has been achieved, by then pulling the cable to the left, as viewed, to the dotted line position of the cable shown at 53, the wrapping of the cable partially around cam 38 will, when the strain is released on the free end of the cable, carry the cam up to its locked position of Figure 6, where the weight of the platform and its load will maintain the same in the locked position.

It is very desirable to have a convenient means for adjusting the height of the backboard. Normally, it has been found that for persons of different statures., the bag should be properly adjusted to the optimum position and means must be provided for making this adjustment quickly and conveniently. It should not be lost sight of, however, that, when the housing I3 is filled as with water, sand, or the like, it has a very considerable mass, and adequate strength must be provided to take care, not only of this weight, but also the increased shock loading incidental to the use of the device. It is further desirable that the tension elements be flexible, as one of the principal purposes of this invention is to assure that the backboard will be adequate to fully absorb within itself all the shock and vibration, and not transmit it to the means supporting the same.

An arrangement of this order can be cheaply and easily shipped, can be easily handled, and is very convenient to store during periods when it is not desired in its position of use.

It is believed that it will be clearly apparent from the above description and the disclosure in the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of a fillable backboard for punching bags.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A backboard for punching bags, comprising: a large, impervious, dish-shaped housing having a bag impact surface and an upwardly directed rim; means for securing a punching bag in operating position below said impact surface; a reinforcing shelf secured to the upper inner margin of said housing; an enclosing cover for said housing having an upwardly displaced annular lip on the periphery adapted to lie on said shelf with the central portion of the cover lying therebelow so as to fully enclose said housing; a plurality of flexible tension members forming the sole supporting means of said housing; means for securing said tension members when said housing is in its adjusted position; and a liquid load in said housing.

2. A backboard for punching bags, comprising: a housing having a bag impact surface and an upwardly directed rim forming a large, impervious, fillable enclosure; means for securing a punching bag in operative position below said impact surface; a plurality of flexible tension members adapted to adjustably support said housing and forming the sole supporting means of said housing; means for securing said tension members when said housing is in its adjusted position; and a liquid load in said enclosure.

3. A backboard for punching bags, comprising: a large, impervious, dish-shaped housing having a bag impact surface and an upwardly directed rim; means for securing a punching bag in operating position below said impact surface; an enclosing cover for said housing; and means for supporting said housing; and a liquid load in said housing.

4:. A backboard for punching bags, comprising: a housing having a bag impact surface and an upwardly directed rim, forming a large, impervious, fillable enclosure; means for securing apunching bag in operative position below said impact surface: a plurality of pulleys attachable to overhead supports; an equal number of flexible tension members each having one end attached to said housing and having the free end running through one of said pulleys and forming the sole supporting means for said housing; an equal number of securing means attached to said housing through which the free ends of said flexible tension members are threaded, having a fixed cam member and a pivotal cam member, said cam members having engageable surfaces to re leasably engage said flexible members; and a load References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 689,344 Yoerger et a1 Dec. 17, 1901 737,889 Yoerger Sept. 1, 1903 757,709 Yoerger Apr. 19, 1904 1,020,367 Patterson Mar. 12, 1912 

